VOTER turnout failed to improve from a disappointing show in 2001. In South Swindon 60.35 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote, compared to 61.14 per cent last time.

Meanwhile in North Swindon there was a 61.82 per cent turn out, very slightly up on the 61.15 per cent in 2001.

The figures were a disappointment for the candidates.

Anne Snelgrove, who won South Swindon, was surprised by the turnout.

"I was expecting it to be one or two per cent higher than last time but speaking to people I can tell that they were taking it seriously which is what every candidate wants," she said.

Robert Buckland, Conservative candidate in South Swindon, added: "It is disappointing to see turnout is more or less the same as last time.

"My suspicion is that once again we are failing to reach out to parts of the constituency where awareness is not so high."

There was certainly huge variation in turnout between different areas.

In South Swindon the polling station with the highest turnout was Lawn Community Centre, where 75.13 per cent of the electorate voted while only 39.52 per cent voted at the Friends Meeting House on Eastcott Hill, the lowest in South Swindon.

But the most impressive turnout came in North Swindon where there was a 91.1 per cent turnout at the council offices polling station in Highworth.

The lowest turnout in North Swindon was 36.32 per cent at Lower Penhill Community Centre.